Spindle structure



. v Oct. 16, 1945.v

ION (DU) FiledDeCL 2l, 1,942

G. F. YAGERi v 2,387,105

SPINDLE STRUCTURE I N V EN TOR.

GEORGEv F.' YAGER ATTORNEYS v 2. sheets-sheet 1 4 Oct. 16, 1945. I v G, F YGR n 2,387,105 l SPINDLE STRUCTURE v Filed Dc. 21, 1942 2 sheets-'sheet 2Q 4 FIGA; Y

l GEORGE EYAGER Y BY UINVENTOR.

l Patented Oct. 16, 1945 SPINDLE STRUCTURE George F. Yager, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Bunting Brass & Bronze Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 21, 1942, Serial No. 469,716

Claims. (Cl. 308-189) This invention relates generally to spindle assemblies and refers more particularly to an improved spindle assembly adapted for use in boring, turning, facing or grinding machines for carrying and driving the chuck or holder for the work.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a more rigid assembly to avoid chatter when operating at relatively high speeds and to permit a ner and more precise tool operation or nish to be obtained within close limits on the work.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein the rotatable element or spindle is mounted in such a way that it has an immense load carrying capacity and is capable of operating without deection.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein the spindle travels on a lrn of oil which not only serves as a lubricant to avoid metal to metal contact and reduce wear to a minimum, but also functions as a cleaning and washing agent for grit, dirt and other foreign particles, and as an ab sorber of shock from the drive belt for the spindle.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein a given size quill may accommodate various n sizes of spindles.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein a sleeve-type bearing for the spindle has a sleeve-type adaptor that forms therewith a subassembly capable of being removed as a unit from the quill when it is desired to renish or bore the bearing to renew the same. Thus, this arrangement obviates the boring of the bearing while in the quill and permits the renewal of the bearing to be more easily and accurately eiected.

Another object is 'to provide an assembly wherein two different grades of oil or lubricant such as heavy and light oil may be employed without commingling to lubricate dierent parts of the assembly.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein the employment within the quill of a plain sleeve-type bearing for the spindle permits the use of larger spindles capable of running longer and handling heavier work.

Another object is to provide an assembly that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to install and efficient in operation.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention willbe made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a spindle assembly embodying my invention;

Figure 42 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a slight modification.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the quill, B is the spindle, C is a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for the spindle, D is a plain sleeve bearing for the spindle, and E is a hanged adaptor for the sleeve bearing of a spindle assembly ernbodying my invention.

As shown, the quill A is tubular in form and is provided intermediate its ends, preferably adjacent the inner end of the ball bearing assembly C, with an inwardly projecting annular enlargement I0 which is concentric \with but spaced slightly from a cylindrical portion II of the spindle B to provide a predetermined clearance I2 therebetween. Actually, this enlargement I0 constitutes a partition element and cooperates with the cylindrical portion I I of the spindle to divide the interior of the quill A into two longitudinally spaced chambers I3 and I4 respectively for the ball bearing assembly C and the sleeve bearing D and adaptor E.

The spindle B extends axially of the quill A throughout its length and is provided beyond opposite ends thereof with endwise and lateral projections I5 and IS respectively. The endwise projection I5 is the driving end of the assembly and is adapted to carry a, belt or chain driven pulley (not shown) by which the spindle B may be rotated, while the lateral projection or flange I6 is the work carrying end of the assembly and is adapted to carry a work holding chuck (not shown) by which the work or tool may be rotated relative to one or more tools (not shown) to obtain the desired boring, turning, facing or'grinding operation.

The spring loaded ball bearing assembly C isy within the chamber I3 and comprises two sets 28 and 2| respectively of ball bearings at longitudinally spaced points of the spindle B, inner and outer races 22 and 23 respectively for each set, a collar 24 between the outer races 23 of said sets, a collar 25 within the inner race 22 of the outer set 2I and having a lateral iiange 26 abutting a shoulder 2'I of the spindle B and extending toward but terminating short of the collar 24, a spring retainer 28 between the lateral flange 26 of the collar 25 and the inner race 22 of the inner set 20, coil springs 29 within said retainer 28 and projecting endwise therefrom against the lateral flange 26 of the collar 25, a clamping nut 30 threadedly engaging the quill A and having a slotted flange 3| abutting the outer race 23 of the set 2|, and a clamping nut 32 threadedly engaging the spindle B and abutting the inner race 22 of essere. Y

Preferably the'inner race of the inner set 2|! is adjacente. flange 33 of the spindle=B, while the outer race 23 of the inner set abuts a shoulder 34 of the quill A. Thus there is a slight space 22a between the inner race 22 and the flange 33 Y so that the inner race can move in response to expansion of the springs 2S. The nut 32, inner race 22 of the outer set 2|, collar 25, retainer28 and springs 29 therein, and inner race 22 of the inner set 20 are carried by and rotate in unison with the spindle B relative to the nut 3ii, outer races 23 of the sets 2| and 2i), collar 24 and quill Af Actually, the springs 29 take up thrust wear that otherwise might have a tendency to produce objectionable end play. Suchsprings 29 also compensate for any pull transmitted to the spindle B from the pulley and its driving belt, especially when the belt load is downward.

In the present instance I prefer to use relatively heavy oil within the chamber i3 containing the ball bearing assembly C. To receive such oil I have provided in the quill A an oil inlet 49 that is in registry with an annular groove or passage 4| in the collar 24. Circurnferentially spaced holes 42' are provided in the collar 24 in registry with this groove 4| to permit oilto flow bearing D. A ring 86 of greater diameter than the spindle B is loose on the spindle within the sump 80 and cooperates with the spindle B during rotation thereof to facilitate the transfer of oil from the sump via the spiral groove 85 to the inside of the bearing D.

` Toprevent the light oil inthe chamber Iflfrorn entering the chamber I 3 containing the ball bearingV assembly C, I have provided longitudinally .spaced rings Si) and 3| respectively on the spindle B at the inner end of the chamber I4 for throwing such oil outwardly into the chamber so that it will notk enter the clearance space I2 between the inward enlargement I0 of the quill A and the cylindrical portion of the spindle B.

Preferably the spiral groove 85 for oil commences adjacent the ring 9| and terminates apfrom the groove to the interior ofthe-chamber I3. However, it is desirable to prevent thisheavy oil from entering the chamber I4 containing the sleeve bearing D, hence the spindle B is provided at the inner end of the chamber I3 with longitudinally spacedrings 43 and 44 respectively that constitute oil slingers for throwing off the oil so that it will not enter the clearance space 2 between the inward enlargement lil of the quill and the cylindrical portion of the spindle. Consequent-ly such oil will flow between the inner and'outer races 22 and 23 respectively of the inner set 23, between the spring retainer 28 and collar 24, between the inner and outer races 22 and 23 respectively ofthe outer set 2|, and thence through slots lI5 in the flange 3| of the nut 3i] to. one erv more drainage or outlet passages 46 in the quill A. In this connection it will be noted that the clamping nuts and 32 have cooperating flanges 4l and 48 that collectively provide a-seal to preclude the vescape therebetween of oil from the chamber I3 and to exclude dirt, dust, etc. Thus, the only discharge of oil is through the drainage slot 46.

Y The sleeve bearing D and flanged adaptor E are disposed one within the other as a removable subassembly within thechamber I4 and are preferably spaced from the inward enlargement Il of the quill A to provide a sump 80 for oil. The bearing D terminates short of the lateral projection AI5 of the spindle'B so as to prowde a space 8| fcrlcil, whilethe flange S2 of the adaptor projects laterally outward between the lateral projection I6 of the spindle and theV adjacent end of the quill A and is fastened to the latter by one or moreV screws 83.y i

Preferably the oil usedin the chamber I4 is comparatively light or is a mixture of approximately '75% kerosene and 25% spindle oil. Such oi-l -is-fed through a suitable inlet opening 84 in thequill Ato the ksump 80 and is carried by a spiral groove 85 in the spindle B into the sleeve proximately one inch from the outer end of the sleeve bearing D. Thus, this termination of the spiral groove 85 short of the outer end of the bearing D causes the pressure of the oil within the bearing D to build up suiiciently to substantially float the spindle B centrally inthe bearing D.

Located in the space 8|V between the outer end of the bearing D and the lateral projection |`6 of the spindle is an oil slinging. ring 92 on' the spindle B for throwing oil outwardly` from said space to prevent it from escaping between the flange 82 of the adaptor E and the lateral projection I6 of the spindle B, while extending lengthwise of the adaptor E from said space 8| to the sump 89 'is one or more passages 93 receiving the thrown oil aforesaid and returning it to the sump 80. Moreover, the flange 82 of the adaptor E is provided on its outer face with an annular rib 94 that extends within and cooperates with the walls o-f an annular recess 95 inthe inner face of the lateral projection of the spindle to form a seal to prevent the escape of oil and to exclude dirt, dust, etc. Also an annulus 96 is sleeved upon the quill A to cover the lateral flange 82 and a portion of the projection I5 and joints therebetween as a further shield against dirt, dust, etc. Any suitable `means such as arset screw 91 may be employed' to hold' the annulus 96 in place.

In use, the quill A may' be mounted by any suitable means (not shown) upon or within the housing or frame of the machine in which it is to be employed. After the drive pulley (not shown) is keyed upon the axial projection I5 of the spindle, and the work holding chuck (not shown) is bolted to the lateral projection I6 of the spindle, the rotation of the spindle B in the quill A may be effected so that the work may be engaged by the desired tool to obtain the proper boring, turning, facing or grinding operation. While the spindle B is rotating heavy oil may be supplied to the inlet opening 4!! for the chamber I3, while light oil may be supplied to the inlet opening 84 for the sump in the chamber I4, and such oils will serve efficiently to lubricate the parts with'- out commingling, due to the action of the oil slinger rings 43, 44, 9U and' 9| respectively; Actually, the oil carried by the spiral groove into the sleeve bearing D will enhance the oper-A ation of the spindle B in the bearing D. In' fact'the spindle B rotates on a lm of o-il within the bearing D. Hence the provision ofthe relatively long sleeve bearing D and oil passage 85 provides an assembly having an immense load' carrying capacity without deflection. have provided a more rigid assembly that' avoids chatter and permits a nner and more precise tool Thus, lI`

operation to be obtained in close limits on the work.

In practice the spindle B may be solid or may have a conventional axially extending air passage such as 98 for use with air actuated mechanism (not shown). Inasmuch as the sleeve bearing D and adaptor E are assembled as a unit which may be removed from the quill A, it is possible to more accurately renish or renew the sleeve bearing D after the unit is removed than would be the case if this had to be done if the bearing D was within the quill A.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a slight modification wherein a heavier adaptor E and a sleeve H are employed within the quill A to accommodate a smaller spindle B'. Otherwise the construction and operation are the same as in Figure 1. As will be apparent, the sleeve H is added to increase the cross sectional area of the spindle B' to the inside diameter of the ball bearing assembly C, while the heavier adaptor E is employed to increase the cross sectional area of the spindle B and bearing D to the inside diameter of the quill A.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A spindle assembly having a quill, a rotatable spindle in said quill, a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for said spindle within said quill, clamping nuts carried by the spindle and quill for holding the ball bearing assembly in the quill, and an inlet and an outlet for oil for the ball bearing assembly being provided in the quill, one of said clamping nuts having a slot permitting oil to escape from the ball bearing assembly to the oil outlet in the quill. r

2. A spindle assembly having a quill, a rotatable spindle in said quill, and a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for said spindle within said quill, including two longitudinally spaced sets of ball bearing races between the spindle and quill, the inner and outer races of one set being beside abutments of the spindle and quill, a spacer collar between the outer races of both sets, a collar within the inner race of the second set and having va lateral flange between said sets abutting a shoulder of the spindle, a spring retainer between said lateral ilange and the inner race of the first set, spring means within said retainer and projecting endwise therefrom against said lateral flange, and means for holding the ball bearing assembly in the quill including clamping nuts carried by the spindle and quill and engaging the second set f races, the quill having an inlet for oil for said ball bearing assembly, and the quill and one of the clamping nuts having registering slots providing an outlet'for oil from said quill.

3. A spindle assembly having a quill, a rotatable spindle in'said quill, a. spring loaded ball bearing assembly for said spindle within said quill and including two longitudinally spaced sets of ball bearing races between the spindle and quill, each set having inner and outer races, the inner and outer races of one set being beside abutments of the spindle and quill, a spacer collar within the quill between the outer races cf both sets, an annulus on the spindle within said spacer collar, said annulus abutting the inner race of said one set and spaced from the inner race of the second set, said annulus having circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending sockets opening toward the inner. race of the second set, a collar on the spindle abutting a shoulder thereof and having a lateral flange in the space between the annulus and inner race of the second set, coil springs within said sockets and projecting therefrom against said lateral flange, and means for holding the ball bearing assembly against displacement, including clamping nuts carried by the spindle and quill respectively and abuttingthe inner and outer races respectively of the second set oi' races, the quill having an inlet for oil for said ball bearing assembly, and the quill and one of said nuts having registering openings providing an outlet for oil from the assembly.

4. A spindle assembly having a quill, a rotatable spindle in said quill, a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for said spindle within said quill and including two longitudinally spaced sets of ball bearing races between the spindle and quill, each set having inner and outer races, the inner and outer races of one set being beside abutments of the spindle and quill, and means for holding the ball bearing assembly against displacement, including clamping nuts carried by the spindle and quill respectively and abutting the inner and outer races respectively of the second set of races, the quill having an oil inlet for said ball bearing assembly, and the quill and one of said nuts having registering openings providing an outlet for oil from the assembly.

5. 'A spindle assembly having a quill, a rotatable spindle in said quill, a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for said spindle within the quill, said quill having an inlet for oil for said ball bearing assembly, and clamping nuts for the ball `bearing assembly carried by the quill and spindle respectively and having flanges cooperating with each other to provide a seal to prevent the escape of oil and to prevent dirt, dust andthe like outside the quill from entering the ball bearing assembly, the quill and one of said nuts having registering openings providing an outlet for oil from said assembly.

GEORGE F. YAGER. 

